Italy look to Juve crop for qualification push

DUBLIN: Italy will again rely on a Juventus-dominated side for their final World Cup qualification push, starting with Saturday's trip to Ireland to face former Juve and Azzuri manager Giovanni Trapattoni.

Seven Juve players started last month's 2-0 home win over Bulgaria, the world champion's best performance in months which left them one point shy of qualifying as Group Eight winners, and the same number could feature in these last two matches.

"It is the most important week of the last two years," Italy coach Marcello Lippi told a news conference, referring to Saturday's test against second-placed Ireland and the visit of already eliminated Cyprus four days later. "It is very important to qualify on Saturday. Not only from my point of the view. It's important for everybody."